Hello everyone! I've had this chapter half-written for months now, but I finally got it finished today! I APOLOGIZE FOR BEING SUCH A SLOW POKE, but it's finally summer so hopefully I'll get to updating more regularly. I hope this tides you over for a little while, though!

Angela clutched her stomach as she felt a wave of nausea come over her. She crinkled her nose as the Febreze she had sprayed around her office suddenly made her want to boycott it for the rest of her life. Damn Febreze. So tempting, in its blue plastic glory, its logo in exaggerated type face that had just screamed at Angela to purchase it. Buy me, buy me, it had said. I smell good. So good.

Until, of course, it made her want to puke up her guts.

Oh lord.

The situation with Hodgins and Wendell was something Angela could deal with. Hell, somehow both of them together was easier than each of those boys on their own. But the sheer irrationality of pregnancy- that was something that was going to drive her insane.

Maybe it was because she'd been spending so much time with Brennan lately, or maybe it was just because her world had recently been shaken up and she was trying desperately to cling onto any terra firma that there was left. First the baby, then Hodgins finding out. Then Wendell finding out- which sounded bad to her as she mulled over it - and now here she was, alone, stuck with the repercussions of it all and the overwhelmingly annoying need to vomit.

Perhaps alone wasn't the most appropriate word to use. In fact, it was wrong completely. There was a plethora of people outside her two glass doors that were waiting to offer her a hand whenever she needed it. And then, amongst them, there was one that's willing to offer her his heart.

Damn.

DAMN.

Why was it her that was always so lucky?

Suddenly Angela found Hodgins' words running through her mind again. For what now, the billionth time? I'm your guy. I'm your guy. I'm your guy. She had listened to it stoically, understanding the childish sincerity behind his words. And now she heard it again, playing through her head like one of her father's twisted lullabies.

It wasn't that Hodgins wouldn't be a good enough father. That was most certainly not even one of her worries. In fact, he would definitely give her a run for her money in the favorite parent race. The stereotype around her situation didn't worry her- what anyone else thought about her wasn't exactly something she cared about. And there was no doubt in her mind that she didn't love him. They'd shared too many late nights drinking alcohol out of beakers, too many days poking fun at victims on Brennan's table. They'd separated, but they'd never broken up. Something that strong could never break.

Then what on earth was it that made her so hesitant to legitimize things with Hodgins? She'd never been one to shy away from a challenge, but the idea of facing him and telling him that she was willing to try things again seemed like something that could only exist in theory. But time was ticking. There were placed that needed to be visited, things that would need to be done, all of which Hodgins would surely appreciate being a part of. It would never be too late, she was fairly sure, to invite him into her and their baby's life, but certainly it would be better if she had her epiphany before the child was born!

With a sigh, she collapsed onto her sofa, throwing her legs dramatically over its arm and resting her head on the opposite end. She placed her hands instinctively over her stomach, hoping to drown out her indecision with a bit of sleep.

"Ange?"

Her eyes opened reluctantly to the sight of the two figures in the doorway. Booth had his arms crossed tiredly across his chest, and Bones leaned against the door frame, her expression one of sincere apology.

"Are you busy?"

Angela shook her head quietly and began to reposition herself, propping up her torso against the sofa's armrest.

"No, no, it's fine, Ange, stay where you are," Bones said, gently putting her arms in front of her in warning. Angela waved her off, chuckling softly.

"I'm seven weeks pregnant, Bren," she retorted lightly, "Not seven months."

Bones furrowed her eyebrows.

"Well, of course, Angela," she replied matter-of-factly, "If you were seven months pregnant you would hardly be able to maintain the figure you have now. Easily you would have gained anywhere from between twenty to thirty pounds and-"

Booth cleared his throat as means of an interruption.

"What Bones is trying to say is...well, Bones?"

She glared at him briefly before pulling up a chair next to the sofa.

"I'm so sorry, Ange," she began, "for spilling the lentils about your baby."

Angela didn't even try to stifle her laughter.

"Beans, Bren. Beans."

"Oh," Bones replied, nodding, "You would...like some? It's very common to experience intense cravings for things that you don't normally like." She continued to nod, and Booth buried his head in his hands.

Eyeing his exasperated form amusedly, Angela shook her head with nonchalance.

"It's alright, sweetie," she promised, "You gave this kid quite an entrance."

Bones smiled gently as Angela touched her hand reassuringly.

"If you ever need to talk about something, I'm always here for you," Bones continued. Booth lifted his head from his hands and raised his hands in front of him as if bracing himself for a fall.

"Hey, if you ladies need to talk about...girl...stuff," he paused for a second, "I could jam on it."

Angela shook her head again, gesturing to a second chair.

"No, grab a seat," she protested, "I think you guys might actually be able to help me."

o o o

"And I don't know what to do," Angela mumbled, stuffing the last cracker into her mouth as Booth and Brennan watched her dazedly, "It's like I have so many damn decisions to make all at once!"

"Booth, can I ask you a question about Rebecca?" she continued, throwing the empty box of crackers frustratedly into the general vicinity of the trash can.

He nodded warmly.

"Shoot."

"What was it like," she began timidly, "When Rebecca told you she was pregnant with Parker?"

Booth stilled in contemplation as Bones eyed him subtly.

"It was scary, I'll tell you that," he finally started, "Scary as hell. All of a sudden you go from carefree boyfriend to thinking about diapers and then thinking about wedding rings and it's just a lot of stuff all at once." Angela nodded thoughtfully. "It never once crossed my mind to leave her though, Ange. And stepping up to the plate never felt like a burden. The only thing that scared me once I had come to terms with the fact that I was going to be a father was what kind of father someone like me would end up being."

Angela nodded again.

"So you were scared too?" she asked.

"Terrified," he replied. "I never told Rebecca but I was probably just as scared as her. Just like you." He paused, knowingly. "Just like Hodgins."

Angela looked up.

"So it's normal, then?" she asked childishly. "To be scared out of your mind?"

"Hell yes. And don't go telling yourself that it gets better with time, either," he continued deviously, "Parker's nine and I'm still scared out of my wits." He flashed her a grin, and Angela punched the side of his shoulder.

"Thanks, Booth," she muttered sarcastically, trying to hide her own grin. "You've made me feel so much better."

He laughed heartily, patting her arm.

"It's the best thing, though, Ange," he said, "One of the best things in the world."

He looked at Bones vaguely as she cocked her head at him.

"I don't get it."

Booth just chuckled.